How to leave my job gracefully?

I am currently working as an Intern. I started in Feb and was supposed to go thru Dec. Well at my 3 month evaluation, they told me my last day would be August 10th. My manager implied that my position was going to be cut due to financial reasons, but 2 weeks later I find out that she plans on attending a job fair in the fall to find my replacement. She doesn't know that I know this. Ever since my evaluation she does nothing but praise me and my work, leaving me incredibly frustrated as to why they are getting rid of me. As my last day is approaching, she wants the whole department to go to lunch to wish me well. Everyone in the office seems surprised when I tell them I'm leaving and they assume that I'm leaving on my own will. How do I explain to them when they ask how the job search has been going that I had to take a temporary dept store job because I couldn't find another job in my field and it wasn't my choice to leave? Should I just keep quiet?

You should definitely keep quite -- although that sucks. It's unfortunate that this is happening to you, but the only thing that you can do is look for another job. Also, don't forget to ask your manager and anyone else that you worked closely with for a letter of recommendation.

Best of luck.

just say that you are looking for something more challenging and thank everybody for their support.

leave with two middle fingers high in the air!

Haha...honestly though...I think you should tell a few people....not the whole office..but....if you tell 2 people...in 10 minutes it'll be 10 people....haha....it's just the way things go...

f that! go out with a bang! if u dont need a good them as a reference. tell them at lunch, make her feel like $hit. everyone will know how she really is (if they dont already know). u might just get something out of it, maybe someone there will point you towards some job they know about. hope all works out well for you. good luck.